The CWB Welding Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the $250,000 CWB Welding Foundation Indigenous Bursary Award to be administered by Indspire, the largest funder of Indigenous education outside of the federal government. Funds will also be matched by the Government of Canada as outlined in their Economic Action Plan 2013.

The CWB Welding Foundation created this national bursary program with Indspire to fund indigenous students interested in post-secondary courses, apprenticeships or training relating to or leading to careers in the Canadian welding and joining industry.

“The CWB Welding Foundation is honoured to be partnering with Indspire to provide further support to indigenous students,” said Deborah Mates, Executive Director of the CWB Welding Foundation. “The Canadian welding industry has great career opportunities available throughout Canada; many that offer above average salaries. Often times, youth just aren’t aware of these opportunities and the great future they can build for themselves in this profession. Our work with Indspire will encourage the next generation of welding professionals.”

This $250,000 pledge will be matched by the Government of Canada for a total of $500,000 in financial aid for hundreds of thousands of First Nation, Inuit and Metis student across the country.

“Indspire’s partnership with the CWB Welding Foundation is a wonderful example of a win-win relationship,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. “It significantly expands the options available for Indigenous students to pursue post-secondary education, and it addresses the need within the welding industry to train the next generation of workers.”

The Canadian welding industry contributes roughly $5 billion to the national economy and employs about 300,000 professionals in a variety of fields including welders, welding supervisors, welding engineers, researchers, inspectors and educators.

“The career prospects in the Canadian welding industry are endless,” said Mates. “I’m optimistic that our partnership with Indspire will be the catalyst behind a movement that will provide meaningful opportunities to indigenous students.”

About the CWB Welding Foundation:
The Foundation’s key mandates are to support public safety awareness, and to address the skilled welding labour shortage in Canada. It will also focus on creating access to educational opportunities for all levels of education from elementary through to post- secondary, as well as aboriginal peoples, women, those with disabilities and visible minorities.

About Indspire:
Indspire is an Indigenous led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families, communities and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire disburses financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources with the goal of closing the gap in Indigenous education. Through the Indspire Institute, it provides resources to educators, communities and other stakeholders who are committed to improving kindergarten to grade 12 success for Indigenous youth. Since its inception in 1985, Indspire has disbursed almost $65 million through close to 20,000 scholarships and bursaries to Indigenous students, making it the largest funder of Indigenous education outside of the federal government. Each year, the organization presents the Indspire Awards, a gala celebration of the successes achieved by Indigenous people that is broadcast nationally.

Related Awards

Open Doors

OD

Women in Trades
Finding ways to engage and encourage women to consider a career in the trades is growing in popularity at educational institutions all across Canada. The Foundation will seek to support women in welding trades programs.

At-Risk Youth
The CWB Welding Foundation will seek opportunities to support at-risk youth through programs that will help to build confidence, teach new skills, and ultimately provide hope and direction.

Indigenous
The CWB Welding Foundation will seek opportunities to support Indigenous groups through our programs and awards.